Vehicular latch and lift assembly and controls for operating same

Abstract

A latch assembly ( 100 ) releases a closure structure ( 12 ) of a motor vehicle ( 10 ). The latch assembly includes a latch housing ( 37 ). A latch ( 28 ) for releasing the closure structure ( 12 ), allowing the closure structure to move toward an open position, is housed within the latch housing. A voltage regulator ( 46 ) is electrically connected to the latch ( 28 ) and provides power to the latch ( 28 ). Also, the latch assembly includes a microprocessor ( 44 ) that is electrically connected to the voltage regulator ( 46 ) to receive the power supplied by the voltage regulator, wherein the microprocessor ( 44 ) and the voltage regulator ( 46 ) are housed within the latch housing ( 37 ).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A latch assembly for a closure structure of a motor vehicle, said latch assembly comprising: 
 a latch housing;    a latch for releasing the closure structure allowing the closure structure to move toward an open position;    an actuator operably connected to said latch to provide powered operation of said latch, said latch and actuator housed within said latch housing;    a voltage regulator electrically connected to said latch and providing power to said latch; and    a microprocessor electrically connected to said voltage regulator to receive the power supplied by said voltage regulator, wherein said microprocessor and said voltage regulator are housed within said latch housing.    
     
     
         2 . A latch assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said microprocessor is electrically connected to a central control module for the motor vehicle.  
     
     
         3 . A latch assembly as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said latch housing includes a base for securing base components thereto and for securing said latch housing to the closure assembly.  
     
     
         4 . A latch assembly as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said base includes a base connection allowing said microprocessor to electrically communicate with a portion of said base components.  
     
     
         5 . A latch assembly as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said latch housing includes a latch cover for covering said latch and said microprocessor within said latch housing.  
     
     
         6 . A latch assembly as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said latch cover includes a cover connection allowing said microprocessor and said voltage regulator to electrically communicate with said latch assembly.  
     
     
         7 . A latch assembly as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said latch housing includes an intermediate support for securing gears and a motor within said latch housing.  
     
     
         8 . A latch assembly as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said intermediate support includes an intermediate connection allowing said microprocessor to electrically communicate with said portion of said base components and said motor.  
     
     
         9 . A latch assembly as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said intermediate and cover connections each include a flexible cable.  
     
     
         10 . A latch assembly as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said base includes a base pin for receiving said flexible cable thereon.  
     
     
         11 . A latch assembly as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said intermediate support includes an intermediate pin for receiving said flexible cable thereon.  
     
     
         12 . A latch assembly as set forth in  claim 9  latch housing includes a base for securing base components thereto and for securing said latch housing to the closure assembly.  
     
     
         13 . A control assembly for a latch including a latch housing and a handle, said control assembly comprising: 
 a sensor connected to the handle, said sensor generating and transmitting an open signal when the latch is manually operated;    a microprocessor electrically connected to said sensor for receiving said open signal and for generating a power signal;    a voltage regulator electrically connected to said microprocessor for receiving power from an external source, regulating the power to be a predetermined voltage, and transmitting the predetermined voltage to said microprocessor; and    an output port electrically connected to said microprocessor, said output port being connectable with a motor as a function of said power signal generated by said microprocessor.    
     
     
         14 . A control assembly as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said microprocessor, said voltage regulator and said output port are housed with the latch housing.  
     
     
         15 . A control assembly as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said output port is electrically connected to a central control module.  
     
     
         16 . A latch assembly as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said latch housing includes a base for securing base components thereto and for securing said latch housing to the closure assembly.  
     
     
         17 . A latch assembly as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said base includes a base connection allowing said microprocessor to electrically communicate with a portion of said base components.  
     
     
         18 . A latch assembly as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said latch housing includes a latch cover for covering said latch and said microprocessor within said latch housing.  
     
     
         19 . A latch assembly as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said latch cover includes a cover connection allowing said microprocessor and said voltage regulator to electrically communicate with said latch assembly.  
     
     
         20 . A latch assembly as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said latch housing includes an intermediate support for securing gears and a motor within said latch housing.